The term ‘SEC Release’, in the context of the Smart Energy Code (SEC), is used in reference to any modifications or suite of modifications that are made to the SEC on the same implementation date. A SEC Release can include modifications to the SEC that have no system impacts (documentation only changes) and modifications to the SEC that do have system impacts. System impacting modifications are those that affect DCC and/or User Systems and/or Devices. System impacting modifications to the SEC can come from two sources:
- Modification Proposals; and
- modifications made by the Secretary of State (SoS) using Section 88 powers.
Why are releases needed?
Releases provide a mechanism by which multiple approved modifications to the SEC are implemented at once in a coordinated manner.
SEC Release Management Policy
SEC Section D10.7 (Release Management) requires the SEC Panel to establish a SEC Release Management Policy. This policy informs how approved Modification Proposals or suites of Modification Proposals are implemented via SEC Releases.
At the September 2019 meeting, the Panel approved the current version of the SEC Release Management Policy:
SEC Release cycle
Typically, new SEC content will be released three times a year. The scheduled release cycle will be:
| Release | Timing | Type |
|---|---|---|
| February Release | Last Thursday in February | SEC Documentation Release |
| June Release | Last Thursday in June | SEC Systems Release |
| November Release | First Thursday in November | SEC Systems Release |
If required, additional ad-hoc releases of new SEC content may also occur outside of the scheduled release cycle. Such changes may relate to Modification Proposals that can be implemented in short timescales or where it relates to a specific point in the year, such as the beginning of a new regulatory year.
Smart Landscape Releases Plan-On-A-Page
The Smart Landscape Releases plan-on-a-page presents an overview of future changes to the SEC. This includes the different versions of the technical documentation (SMETS, CHTS, GBCS, DUIS and MMC) and when each version will be implemented. The plan-on-a-page consolidates critical information on all changes to the SEC on one page, to allow Parties to see how multiple changes interact. This plan is designed to be a live document and will be updated on a regular basis when new information is provided.
We welcome any feedback you have on this, to ensure it provides the information you need. Please email us at sec.change@gemserv.com with any comments you may have.
Release 1.4 (November 2017)
The November 2017 release (also referred to as Release 1.4) primarily contained Data and Communications Company (DCC) System changes. These changes fell into two types:
- DCC Internal changes (for example Recovery Procure Changes and Anomaly Detection SMETS Objects Limits); and
- resolution of SoS Variations (for example Use of EUI-64 (User) Identifiers and the provision of Self-Service Interface Reporting).
In addition, the November 2017 release was supplemented by other internal DCC changes undertaken in accordance with the DCC Release Management Policy. Details on this release can be found here.
Release 2.0 (September 2018)
Release 2.0 contains DCC and SEC Party System impacting changes. The content of the release will primarily be SoS (BEIS) executed changes, and is expected to take the form of:
- changes to support Dual Band Communications Hubs, and
- changes to the Technical Specifications and GB Companion Specification (referred to as the TSG2 changes).
In addition, Release 2.0 may be supplemented by internal DCC changes undertaken in accordance with the DCC Release Management Policy and approved Modification Proposals.
Release 2.0 also contains the approved SEC Modification Proposals:
- SECMP0006 ‘Specifying the number of digits for device display’; and
- SECMP0008 ‘Provision of DCC Alerts for Quarantined Service Requests’.
Release 2.0 Testing Documentation status tracker
In order to successfully test the content of Release 2.0 to ensure the changes and new functionality operate as expected, while ensuring that existing functionality and devices continue to operate release testing is required. A number of Testing Approach Documents for Release 2.0 have/are being produced which will set out how this testing will be undertaken. A tracker spreadsheet is provided below, and gives an overview of the current status of each testing document.
The below Release 2.0 Testing Approach Documents have been approved by the Secretary of State.
| Document Name | Date Approved |
|---|---|
| Release 2 System Integration Test Approach Document | 22 February 2018 |
| Release 2 Device Integration Testing Approach Document v1.2 | 5 June 2018 |
| Release 2 User Integration Testing Approach Document v1.2 | 5 June 2018 |
| System Capacity Testing Approach Document v1.0 | 3 July 2019 |
SMETS1 Enrolment and Adoption (Release 3.0)
Release 3.0 will contain DCC and/or SEC Party System impact changes. The content of the release will primarily be SoS (BEIS) executed changes, and is expected to take the form of:
- the deliver of SMETS1 Services (previously referred to as SMETS1 enrolment and adoption.
In addition, Release 3.0 may be supplemented by internal DCC changes undertaken in accordance with the DCC Release Management Policy and approved Modification Proposals.
SMETS1 Services Testing Documentation status tracker
In order to successfully test the content of the SMETS1 Services release, to ensure the changes and new functionality operate as expected, a number of Testing Approach Documents are being produced which will set out how this testing will be undertaken. A tracker spreadsheet is provided below, and gives an overview of the current status of each testing document.
November 2019 SEC Release
The November 2019 SEC Release, due to go live on 29 November 2019, is the first enduring SEC Release to contain DCC System impacting changes arising from SEC Modification Proposals. The following modifications are in scope:
The SEC Release Implementation Document was last updated on 31 October 2019 following the further change of implementation date, and you can download this version of the document below.
On 1 October 2019, the SEC Panel wrote to the Authority to request the implementation date be amended to 24 November 2019, with flexibility to extend this to 1 December if required. The Authority approved this request on 8 October 2019. The Panel’s letter to the Authority and the Authority’s response can be downloaded below.
- Request to change the November 2019 SEC Release implementation date
- Ofgem decision letter on change of implementation date for the November 2019 SEC Release
On 30 October 2019, the Panel used the discretion granted by the Authority to further revise the implementation date to 29 November 2019. The Panel paper providing the rationale for this decision can be downloaded below.
February 2020 SEC Release
The February 2020 SEC Release, due to go live on 27 February 2020, will only contain SEC documentation changes arising from SEC Modification Proposals. The following modifications are currently in scope:
| Modification | Status |
|---|---|
| MP086 'Alt HAN Roll-Out Financing' | Implemented |
| MP091 'Updating Security Assurance Status' | Implemented |
| MP097 'Improving SMETS2 Meter Installs for New Connections' | Implemented |
Further modifications that don’t impact on DCC Systems may be added to the scope of this release at a later date.
June 2020 SEC Release
The June 2020 SEC Release, due to go live on 25 June 2020, is expected to contain DCC System impacting changes arising from SEC Modification Proposals. The following modifications are currently in scope:
| Modification | Status |
|---|---|
| SECMP0053 'Amend Target Response Times for Service Requests Critical to Installation and Commissioning Processes' | Implemented |
| SECMP0062 'Northbound Application Traffic Management - Alert Storm Protection' part 1 | Implemented |
| MP114 'Alt HAN P2P Charging Data' | Implemented |
The SEC Release Implementation Document covering the modifications targeted for inclusion in this release is available below. The Panel baselined this document on 11 October 2019.
Further modifications that don’t impact on DCC Systems may be added to the scope of this release at a later date.
November 2020 SEC Release
The November 2020 SEC Release, due to go live on 5 November 2020, is expected to contain DCC System impacting changes arising from SEC Modification Proposals. The following modifications are currently in scope:
The first draft of the SEC Release Implementation Document, covering the modifications initially targeted for inclusion in this release, was published on 12 September 2019 and is available below. We are currently confirming which of these modifications the DCC has the capacity to include in this release. We will be updating the RID ahead of the Panel baselining the scope at its November 2019 meeting.
Further modifications that don’t impact on DCC Systems may be added to the scope of this release at a later date.
DCC UIT Release Plan and Releases Content
The DCC has produced a spreadsheet setting out the plan and associated contents of maintenance releases for UIT defect fixes. The spreadsheet is available to view by SEC Parties.
(Please note that you will need to log in to the website in order to download the spreadsheet).
Please consider the following whilst assessing and consuming information provided in the Plan and Release Contents
1. Plan is indicative as of 20 November 2017 and may change as DCC progress these activities (as and when new versions of the spreadsheet are produced and provided by the DCC it will be published here).
2. Plan will be updated based on progress and notification will be sent to customers
3. Plan will be extended to include other Tranches as soon as defects are assigned to DCC
4. Content of each one of the releases planned in UIT is available in this document and the defect description is as being described by defect owner
5. Content of each release may be subjected to change and customers will be notified of changes
If you require any further information on UIT Release Plan and Releases content document please email your DCC Testing Representative.
Forward Release Look
To give SEC Parties and other interested parties an indication of the earliest point when different types of changes could be implemented an Indicative Release Content Overview has been prepared. It will be updated when new content is added, target dates change or when a change has been approved.
Further information
If you would like to further detail on releases or the Panel Release Management Policy, please email the SECAS Helpdesk or call us on 020 7090 7755.